County assessor defends reassessment work, appeals handling and automation plans; flags IT and customer‑service gaps

Jake Zimmerman, St. Louis County assessor, told the County Council’s budget committee on Oct. 14 that his office’s core mission is to "classify and value real estate and personal property," and he outlined reassessment results, appeal numbers and a set of operational priorities for 2026.

Nut graf: Zimmerman said the office handled a high reassessment workload this year and defended the accuracy of its valuations while urging the council to consider legislative and process changes that would let staff focus visits on properties that need inspection. He also described persistent technology and inter‑agency challenges that have reduced customer service.

Reassessment results and appeals

Zimmerman summarized the reassessment outcome and market trends: the median property in St. Louis County increased about 13.3% over two years (roughly 6–7% per year), and he said smaller, more affordable homes have appreciated faster than higher‑end properties. He reported approximately 23,000 appeals filed in the most recent cycle and, based on preliminary…